--- In [email protected], Martin Clark <ya...@...> wrote: > > As reported here a few weeks ago, Manchester City Council is proposing > to construct a safety fence along the side of Canal Street in > Manchester, to stop the drunks from falling into the Rochdale Canal. The > fence would block access on foot for lock-wheelers to Lock 86. > Martin, due to the above I have now replied in the following terms:-
'Sir, I have boated this length of the Rochdale canal several times and am concerned about the access to the lock being blocked. Should there be any accident involving a boater or indeed any member of the public or especially a child who somehow circumvents the fence as children are prone to do, this would make access for the emergency services very difficult. In an emergency situation there is no time to find out who holds a key, find that person, get them to site and then deal with the emergency. Ambulance and fire crews need to get to a situation instantly and for them to be hindered in that access could cost lives.' in the hope that this argument might carry more weight than aesthetic arguments espoecially in view of the BW comments. It would indeed be ironic if a measure intended to protect live actually jeopardised it! John
